Golden bow parrot
| Golden bow parrot | ||||||||||||
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Golden-tailed parrots ( Poicephalus meyeri damarensis ) |
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| Poicephalus meyeri | ||||||||||||
| ( Cretzschmar , 1827) |
The Meyer's Parrot ( Poicephalus meyeri ) is a bird art from the family of authentics Parrots (Psittacidae). It belongs to the genus of the long-winged parrot (Poicephalus) and is sometimes also called Meyer's parrot .
Appearance
Fledglings
Up to the age of twelve months, golden-winged parrots usually have brown-green plumage . There is a slight yellow color on the wing legs and apex.
Adult birds
The birds reach sexual maturity at around 18 months of age and begin to develop yellow feathers on the forehead and the bend of the wings. When the coloration has ended after up to eight years, the feather coloration is a dark gray-brown. On the other hand, there is a yellow spot on the head, which varies in shape. The edges of the wings and shoulders are also kept in this color. The lower abdomen and rump are colored green, the lower back light blue. Beak , nasal skin and feet are black / gray / brown. The iris glows orange-red.
The birds reach a size between 20 and 22 cm and a weight, depending on the subspecies, between 110 and 180 grams.
distribution
According to the 2006 figures, the number of golden-winged parrots is stable. The distribution area extends over parts of Central and East Africa as well as Angola , Lesotho , Malawi , Mozambique , Namibia , Zambia and Zimbabwe . It covers about 4000 km².
Observations in the wild are difficult because the birds have developed a well-functioning early warning system among themselves and are very shy.
Way of life
The golden-winged parrots inhabit a wide variety of habitats in their extensive range. Although they prefer forested areas, they can also be found in savannah areas, in bushland, in cultivated land and in individual trees near rivers. As a rule, they are not far from watering holes. The golden-winged parrots are in pairs or in small groups of three to five animals, depending on the food available in groups of up to 30 birds. They feed mainly on seeds, nuts, berries and a wide variety of fruits. But the birds also feed on grain and maize from the growing areas or look for oranges and other fruit crops.
The systematic position within the genus Poicephalus
The following cladogram shows the genus Poicephalus with their respective degrees of relationship. The Niam-Niam parrot ( Poicephalus crassus ), whose species status is controversial, is missing .
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The following five subspecies are assigned to the golden-winged parrot:
- Poicephalus meyeri meyeri
- Poicephalus meyeri saturatus
- Poicephalus meyeri matschiei
- Poicephalus meyerireichenowi
- Poicephalus meyeri damarensis
Keeping in captivity
The golden-winged parrot is becoming increasingly popular as a pet bird due to its "handy" size and its relatively quiet voice for a parrot. The golden-headed parrot is the smallest among the large parrots. If the birds feel good, they are very playful and become trusting towards humans. The birds are very active and like to move by climbing, but also flying. The very large need for gnawing and activity is best satisfied with fresh branches.
swell
Individual evidence
- ↑ Hoppe and Welcke, p. 79
literature
- Susanne and Werner Lantermann (1986): The parrots of Central and South America: Species, keeping a. Zucht , Verlag M. & M. Schaper, ISBN 3-7944-0149-2
Web links
- Images of golden-headed parrots
- Videos, photos and sound recordings of Poicephalus meyeri in the Internet Bird Collection
- Poicephalus meyeri inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.2. Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2013.